Music thumped through the apartment-turned-party venue as MK and Rebecca followed Jesse across the room. A cluster of people turned when Jesse waved them over.
"There you are!" Jesse grinned, slinging an arm around MK. "Guys, this is MK and Rebecca."
She gestured toward a woman glowing in the center of the crowd—bright smile, champagne in hand. "And that," she added proudly, "is Isabella. Birthday girl. We went to school together."
"Happy birthday," MK and Rebecca said in unison.
"Thank you!" Isabella beamed. "Drinks are over there, food's on that side. Make yourselves at home."
The word food lit Rebecca up like a bulb.
"I haven't eaten the whole day," she confessed before speed-walking toward the kitchen, where boxes of take-out were spread out like a banquet.
Jesse didn't give MK the chance to escape. She shoved a cold can into her hand. "Drink."
MK frowned. "I don't—"
"Nope. Don't argue. You've been whining about the past for long enough."
She crossed her arms. "Drink."
MK sighed and took a reluctant sip. Jesse had heard the whole story—what happened that night, how the video was staged. There was no hiding from her.
"So," Jesse said casually, watching MK's face with predatory precision, "what's going on with you and Shriya?"
MK choked. "Nothing. Why would you even ask that?"
"Because," Jesse said slowly, "you yelled at me for giving her the wrong address."
"I—I didn't yell."
"You screamed, MK." Jesse raised an eyebrow. "Also, you literally said you wanted her to come over."
MK looked away. "No I didn't."
"MK." Jesse's tone sharpened. "Do. Not. Lie. To. Me. Do you like her?"
MK exhaled sharply, gave up, and threw her hands in the air.
"Fine! Yes. I like her. Happy?"
Jesse's jaw dropped.
MK continued, voice cracking at the edges, "I know I shouldn't. I know what she does. But Jesse… ever since that day on the rooftop, I've had this stupid crush on her. And now I can't stop thinking about her. It's driving me insane. What do I do?"
Jesse didn't answer. She just stared at MK like she'd announced she was moving to Jupiter.
"Jesse?" MK asked cautiously. "Do you think I'm losing it?"
"No," Jesse whispered—eyes widening. "I just think… you need to turn around."
"Why?"
"Shriya," Jesse mouthed, pointing behind MK.
MK froze. She could feel the blood drain from her body.
---
Meanwhile, back at the club, Shriya had been a storm without direction. She tried working, tried running errands, tried drinking, tried flirting—nothing worked. Guilt gnawed at her, and something softer, something she hated acknowledging, pulled her thoughts back to one person.
Peach sighed from the sofa. "Maybe you should just tell her the truth."
"If she does, MK will never forgive her," Leah countered.
"Then tell her how you feel," Peach suggested.
Leah rolled her eyes. "Or find someone else. You never get attached, anyway."
Shriya grabbed her phone. "Yeah. Maybe I just need someone else."
Minutes later she was kissing a girl she knew well—someone who always said yes. But the moment lips touched, something felt wrong. Off. Empty.
She pulled away. "Sorry. I—can't. Not tonight."
She left without another word.
Then her phone buzzed.
Your girl is here.
Peach and Leah had spotted MK at a party nearby.
Shriya didn't even think. She drove straight there.
When she arrived, the apartment was buzzing—but she didn't notice any of it. Her eyes pinned immediately to two figures in the corner: Jesse and MK.
She approached just in time to hear MK whisper:
"…I've liked her since the first day."
Shriya's heart clenched so hard she couldn't breathe. Relief. Panic. Guilt. Hope. A chaos she had no name for.
But she stopped herself.
No. I can't crush her. I don't deserve her.
Still, MK finally turned—and froze.
"Shriya." Her voice was barely a breath.
Jesse disappeared with suspicious speed, mumbling something about food.
Silence hung between them.
Then MK swallowed. "Do you… want to take a walk?"
Shriya nodded.
They stepped out into the night, cool air brushing their skin. MK texted Jesse and Rebecca that she was leaving. Shriya texted her partners—ordering them to get rid of anything that could lead back to her. No loose ends.
Halfway down the street, Shriya stopped.
"I heard what you said," she murmured, stepping closer, too close. "And… I can't stop thinking about you either. I wasn't sure if you felt—"
MK lifted a hand and pressed a finger to her lips.
Instant regret flashed in her eyes as the touch sent a jolt down both their spines. She moved to pull back—
But Shriya gently caught her hand, brushing her lips over MK's fingertips.
MK's breath caught.
And then—
The door closed behind them.
Shriya's mouth was on hers.
MK gasped, stumbling back, but her arms instinctively wrapped around Shriya's neck. Every barrier she'd built, every fear, every thought—it all melted as their lips collided again and again, desperate and breathless.
Shriya guided her backward, slow but sure, until MK felt a mattress beneath her. The world spun. Her body burned.
Shriya kissed down her neck, her collarbone, her jaw. MK had never felt anything like this—never known her body could respond this way.
When Shriya's hand reached her chest, MK let out a sound she didn't recognize—a soft gasp she immediately covered with her hand.
"Don't hide," Shriya whispered against her skin, removing the hand. "It makes me want you more."
MK didn't trust her own body. She wanted more than she had ever allowed herself to want—until she felt Shriya's hand move lower.
She grabbed it.
Shriya stopped instantly, pulling back, concern in her eyes.
"If you're not ready… we can wait."
"It's not that," MK said, voice trembling. "It's just—"
"It's your first time," Shriya said gently.
MK blinked.
"With a girl," Shriya added quickly.
MK nodded.
But inside, her heart whispered the truth:
It's my first time ever. That night doesn't count. I was unconscious.
Shriya held her gaze. "Then we go slow. Only what you want."
"I am ready," MK said, taking a shaky breath. "Just… don't tell anyone what you find out."
Shriya nodded, leaning down to kiss her softly this time, reverently—as if making a silent vow.
I will make up for my mistakes.
Her lips brushed MK's again, and again, and MK melted beneath her.
Tonight, she was hers.